Mar-a-Lago raid revealed secret files thrown on the floor of Trump's office (Image: DOJ)
Special Counsel Jack Smith has accused Donald Trump of knowingly misleading his personal attorneys. Smith charged Trump with intentionally deceiving his counsel in the investigation into classified documents seized at Mar-a-Lago.
ABC News reported that U.S. Judge Beryl Howell wrote that lawyers under Smith made a “prima facie showing that the former president had committed criminal violations.”
“Prima facie” translates to “at first sight.” In legal terms, the statement suggests sufficient evidence of an alleged crime appears to exist.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the investigation.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Judge Howell’s prima facie finding could force Trump’s attorney, Evan Corcoran, to comply with a grand jury subpoena. Effectively, Trump’s attorney-client privilege has been punctured by the decision.
Corcoran has been compelled to hand over invoices, handwritten notes and phone call transcripts with Trump. The judge found “sufficient” evidence that Trump “intentionally concealed” more classified documents from Corcoran.
“Shame on Fake News ABC for broadcasting ILLEGALLY LEAKED false allegations from a Never Trump, now former chief judge, against the Trump legal team,” a Trump spokesperson said. “The real story here, that Fake News ABC SHOULD be reporting on, is that prosecutors only attack lawyers when they have no case whatsoever.”
Trump’s lawyers are expected to appeal Judge Howell’s decision.
Since taking office in January, the Trump Administration has largely fallen behind on its goal…
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court order that blocked President Donald Trump's executive…
Senate Republicans approved the use of a “current policy baseline” as part of President Donald…
President Donald Trump praised the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but suggested…
A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump's attempts to cancel several hundred National Institutes…
Paramount and President Donald Trump agreed to a $16 million settlement regarding how an interview…
